DAVENPORT, Fla. – Stockton University (4-2-1) defeated Worcester State (2-1) 6-3 on Saturday evening at NERP Field, as the teams each played their first game of the Florida Spring Break trip.
The Ospreys snapped a 3-3 tie with two runs in the seventh inning and one in the eighth to send Worcester State to its first loss of the year.
The Lancers came from three runs down to tie the game on a bunt single by Mike Chaves, Jr. (Hudosn, Mass.) in the seventh in support of starter Ben Smith (Bourne, Mass.), who went five innings and struck out seven, as did his counterpart, Stockton starter Phil DeMarco, who went six innings allowing just one unearned run.
Stockton scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 3-0 lead. Nieves ripped an RBI triple and also scored on an error in the frame. Worcester State rallied with one run in the fifth inning and two in the seventh for a 3-3 tie.
Chris Ausiello (Tyngsboro, Mass.) singled to lead off the fifth and came around to score on a stolen base and a throwing error. Ausiello stole two bags in the game, while Chaves was 2-4 with an RBI, the only Lancer with multiple hits.
The Ospreys quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead for good. Tommy Talbot (Howell/Howell) drove in the go-ahead run with a fielder's choice and later scored on an RBI single by Nitti.
Sam Nieves (South Plainfield/South Plainfield) went 3-4 with a double, triple, two runs and an RBI. Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) and Ryan Swift (Sewell/Washington Twp.) added two hits apiece.
Nieves singled, stole second and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by John Perrino (Wall/Wall) in the bottom of the eighth to make it 6-3. Phil Santa Maria (Absecon/ACIT) struck out the side in the ninth inning to cap the 6-3 triumph.
Santa Maria came out of the bullpen, whiffed five of the seven batters that he faced and did not allow a hit in 2.1 scoreless innings of work to earn his second win of the season.
Danny DiMassimo (Pittsfield, Mass.) suffered the loss after giving up three earned runs over three innings. DiMassimo did strike out four.
After a late night at the ballpark, Worcester State is back on the field this afternoon to face Ripon for a 9-inning doubleheader at Sanford Stadium.